Goma Faces Crisis Amid M23 Rebel Offensive and Humanitarian Struggles
M23 rebels have besieged Goma, prompting a massive displacement of individuals seeking safety in the city. The situation reflects decades of conflict fueled by external interventions, with civilians caught in challenging circumstances. Local sentiments of betrayal towards international assistance have intensified as the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, leaving many in a state of uncertainty and fear.
As the M23 rebels, aided by Rwanda, launched an attack, Goma found itself besieged. Bombardments fell incessantly to the north and west, compelling people to seek refuge in the overstretched city’s camps. Many inhabitants were already displaced by prior outbreaks of violence, leading them into a perilous trap.
On Monday morning, the M23 faction declared its takeover of Goma, exacerbating the existing crisis. Displaced residents previously living in camps surrounding the city continued to stream inward, fearing for their safety. The conflict in eastern Congo, characterized by ongoing strife between Rwandan-assisted rebels and the Congolese armed forces, has persisted for decades, drawing comparisons to a continental war.
Videos emerging from Goma depicted the alarming reality of the advancing rebels, who branded their offensive as a means of liberation. Some Congolese military personnel chose to abandon their vehicles, while others engaged in combat amidst the chaos. United Nations peacekeeping forces stationed near Goma faced mounting pressure as tensions escalated.
Local healthcare facilities were overwhelmed by the influx of patients seeking medical attention, with hospital staff erecting tents to accommodate the high number of casualties. Many individuals, like Asifiwe Iragi Rugesha, struggled to navigate through the crowds, burdened with their families while fleeing airstrikes. Despite the dangers, she conveyed a grim determination.
“If M23 comes to Goma, we will die,” Ms. Rugesha lamented, highlighting the dire situation. The closure of the airport on Sunday left the population feeling even more isolated, and frustrations mounting against the United Nations peacekeeping force, MONUSCO, intensified among residents.
Patrick Amani, a local motorcycle taxi driver, voiced his grievances: “They have betrayed the Congolese people.” The crisis has left mothers like Sifa Kigugo with newborns questioning their next steps amid the turmoil. With disrupted power and water supplies, hospitals remained in darkness, while sounds of gunfire echoed the perilous approach of rebel forces. The hospital filled with injured individuals further underscored the humanitarian crisis as Goma spiraled further into chaos.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has its roots in a complex history of political instability and ethnic strife, exacerbated by external influence. The M23 rebels, primarily composed of former soldiers from the Congolese national army, have repeatedly engaged in violence amidst regional support, particularly from Rwanda. The situation is marked by humanitarian crises, frequently forcing civilians to flee their homes and seek safety in overcrowded camps or urban areas, such as Goma.
The crisis in Goma exemplifies the dire humanitarian consequences of ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. With M23 rebels applying pressure and the infrastructure crumbling under the weight of war, residents face overwhelming challenges. The international community continues to wrestle with these complexities, seeking to provide aid and ensure stability, yet many Congolese believe they have been let down during this crisis.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
